Grant no. PDC-0004-G-SS-8033-00 to the International Executive Service Corps to promote the development of private sectors in less developed countries

The VE program will first require a client business to select a counterpart, who is someone at a sufficient management level to have the necessary ability and authority to benefit from the VE assistance. This counterpart will work closely with the visiting VE during the assignment so that he can be trained to perform with more skill and to train other staff members in improved procedures. IESC will base the selection of VE"s primarily on their technical competence, but a special effort will go into selecting volunteers with foreign language skills. As a matter of principle, IESC will charge clients a portion of the total cost for the VE service. The amount charged will be based on the value of the assistance to the client as modified by the client"s ability to pay. To help small businesses, IESC will try to utilize TA at least twice for one air fare. This "piggy-backing" will enable a small client to obtain the services of a VE who is enroute to or from a larger client in the same region. Thus, the small client can benefit by paying only a modest contribution to have the VE extend his trip to work with his small business. As the VE program is implemented, IESC will focus on two areas of concern by directing: (1) 50% of its projects to small businesses, defined as having less than $3 million in gross annual revenue or fewer than 100 employees, and (2) 20% of its projects to agribusinesses or businesses involved in agricultural production. IESC will not use funds to assist parastatals. The IESC Country Directors will work with indigenous management associations to assist them in their efforts to develop training and business skills to improve their programs.